Beach cleaning machine



Feb 10, 1953 v. H. CHATTEN BEACH CLEANING MACHINE Filed Nov. 12, 1948 D ,a Z

BY La Feb. 10, 1953 v. H. CHATTEN BEACH CLEANING MACHINE 4 Sheets-Sheet 3 Filed NOV. l2, 1948 S U. mr e l WC H M m//M m VY B Feb. 10, 1953 v. H. CHATTEN 2,627,712

BEACH CLEANING MACHINE Filed Nov. 12, 194e 4 sheets-sheet 4 gif?. 3.

INVENTOR,y

Patented Feb. 10, 1953 UNITED STATES PATENT CFFICE BEACH CLEANING MACHINE Application November 12, 1948, Serial No. 59,5394

12 Claims.

This invention relates to mobile sifter or screening apparatus employing a conveyor with vibrating bucket elements for sorting, screening and separating one class of material from another. While this invention has a broad range of useful embodiments, I have chosen to illustrate it in connection with a mobile device for cleaning beach sand by removing all of the foreign material, debris and trash. The machine is adapted to travel along the surface of a bathing beach and to clean the sand at any desired depth within its operative range.

The problem of cleaning bathing beaches adequately often becomes acute. Resort communities recognize that the beaches must be kept clean if tourists are to be attracted, but the mounting labor costs for cleaning the beaches manually by using rakes and the like becomes a very heavy burden. I have found that my invention as embodied in a beach cleaning machine is capable of alleviating this burden and of reducing the cost per square yard of cleaning bathing beaches while at the same time producing superior results.

An object of my invention is to provide a mobile unit capable of moving at a relatively rapid rate along a bathing beach for cleaning a swath at any desired depth within the range of operation of the device.

Another object is to provide a mobile bucketlike conveyor having means for vibrating the buckets as they travel to separate trash, debris and the like from beach sand, so that the sand may be immediately returned to the beach without excessive handling thereof, while the debris and trash may be deposited in a mobile or attached container for disposal at locations away from the beach.

Another object is to provide a mobile beach cleaner having right and left plow devices at its forward end for scooping the sand into a central mound -to provide side clearance for the lower drive sprockets of the bucket conveyor.

Another object is to provide a novel form of vibratory bucket construction well adapted for severe service conditions encountered in screening abrasive beach sand.

Another object is to provide a device of this type in which the screened sand is returned to the out directly behind the buckets which scoop up the sand, the cut being held open by means of parallel vertical side plates until the screened sand is returned into it.

Another object is to provide means for orienting normally free swinging buckets immediately prior to their digging operation in order that such digging may be performed with maximum efficiency.

Other objects and advantages will appear hereinafter.

In the drawings:

Figure 1 is a side elevation showing a preferred embodiment of my invention.

Figure 2 is a top plan View of the beach cleaning machine itself, the tractor and rubbish wagon being omitted.

Figure 3 is a side elevation partly broken away showing details of the forward portion of the beach cleaner.

Figure 4 is a sectional elevation of the forward end of the device taken substantially on the lines --i as shown in Figure 2.

Figure 5 is a front sectional elevation taken substantially on the lines 5 5 as shown in Figure 4.

Figure 6 is a sectional View partly broken away taken substantially on the lines B-Sas shown in Figure 2.

Figure 7 is a sectional detail showing a preferred bucket construction taken substantially on the lines 'l--l as shown in Figure 6.

Figure 8 is a partial sectional detail taken substantially on the lines 8--8 as shown in Figure '7.

Figure 9 is a diagrammatic side elevation partly broken away, showing the crawler-type supporting wheels in an inoperative position for highway travel.

Figure 10 is a perspective view of the knife edge cutter assembly which is positioned at the ex- .treme forward end of the device.

Referring to the drawings, the frame III may be carried on a truss wheel assembly II provided with an endless crawler-type track I2 adapted to roll on a beach. The track is sufficiently wide to prevent the machine from sinking into the sand. The frame IU includes an inclined section I3 upon which operates an endless bucket conveyor generally designated I4. The forward end of the inclined portion I3 is joined integrally with a horizontally extending forward projection I5 to which a tow bar I6 is pivotally connected by means of the pin I'I. A hitch connection I8 is provided for attachment to a towing tractor I9.

A prime mover 20 which may taken the form of an internal combustion engine is mounted on a rearward extension 2l of the frame I0 and is adapted to drive a countershaft 22 by means of a multiple V-belt assembly 23. Suitable transmission connections are provided whereby the countershaft 22 may rotate the ,line shaft 24.

Additional transmission connections are provided whereby the line shaft 24 may rotate the upper sprocket shaft 25 carried on the upper end of the inclined section I3. A clutch 26 actuated by a lever 21 is provided so that the shaft 25 may be driven or held at rest as desired while the prime Vmover 20 is operating. Supplementary transmission connections including the belts 28 and 29 are provided for operating the drive pulley 30 on the lower shaft 3l of the picking belt assembly generally designated 32. This assembly includes the lower pulley 30 at one end of the belt 33 and an upper pulley (not shown) at the other end of the belt 33. From this 'description it will be understood that the general mode of operation is that sand and trash are scooped up in the screen buckets 34 on the endless conveyor I4. The sand is screened as the buckets travel in carrying position upwardly along the upper flight of the conveyor, and the trash is deposited on the upper flight of the picking rbelt `33 and transported to the trash outlet 35 from whence it falls by gravity into the rubbish wagon 36. This rubbish wagon may be of any suitable style or size and is conveniently towed behind the frame I0. A platform 31 is provided on the frame I in a location so that an operator standing on the platform may inspect the trash, rubbish, debris, etc. moving rupwardly along the picking belt 33 and may thus sort out coins, jewelry or other valuables before they are Vdeposited with the debris in the rubbish wagon Considering the construction of the endless conveyor in more detail, apair of endless chains 38 pass over pairs of drive sprockets 39 and 45 at opposite ends of the conveyor assembly I4. The lower sprockets 39 are carried on a shaft 4I mounted in spaced bearing assemblies 42. The upper sprockets 43 are mounted on a drive shaft 43 carried in spaced bearing assemblies 44. The bearing assemblies 44 may be provided with `adjusting elements 45 for regulating the slack in the chains 38.

As shown in the drawings the individual buckets 34 are pivotally mounted on the links of the chains 38. Parallel pivot shafts 45 extend ,between links of the parallel chains 38 and are -held Ain place by retaining rings "41. Each A'pivot shaft '46 extends *through bosses "48 'formed on parallel side members 49 of the Abucket assemblies l374. Arspacer sleeve Y5I] 'encircles the lpivot shaft 45'between the end members 49. Tie bars I, V52, 53 and 54 also extend'b'etweenthe end members-49. The forward or digging portion 55 of each bucket 34 is curved as shown inFigure 7. The curved bottom portion of the bucket exjtending from the digging portion 55 to the sleeve 50 is formed as a wire mesh screen 56. This screen is attached to the digging lip 55 at 51 at one end and rests against the sleeve 5U and tie 4bar '54 at the other end. These curved screens 55 forming the bottom of the buckets 34 are mounted for easy removability so that they 'may `be'replaced when worn out. Each of the buckets 34may be provided with vertical yspacer plates 58. It will be understood that the space between the forward edge 59 of the digging lipand the Vspa'cer'sleeve 50 isopen and that each bucket 'is filled through this open side.

The parts of the buckets may be assembled by any convenient means, and I have found welding to bea Vvery satisfactory method of joining the component "parts thereof.

Parallel channels 60 'and'GI -forming apart of up of shock loads.

the frame I3 support the conveyor assembly and carry idler rollers 32 for the upper flight of the chains 38. lhese rollers 62 may be mounted for rotation on pins 63 carried by the parallel channels 53 and El. Mounted on the inner channels 63 and 6I is a pair or' ratchet bars 54 secured in position by means of a suitable attachment fitting 55. A strip of rubber or rubber-like material 53 is preferably interposed between the supporting channel and the ratchet bar 54. Each of these cars 64 is formed with a plurality of upwardly directed tooth elements 5i. Each of the end members 43 on the buckets 34 is provided vwith a iollower 68 having a face 55 adapted to ride on the inclined faces 10 of the ratchet teeth B1. Accordingly, ascending movement of the upper night of the chains 33 causes the buckets vto be vibrated in an oscillatory fashion about the axis or' the pivot shafts 46. It is recognized that the ratchet bars 54 could be formed in any convenient manner to vibrate the buckets '34 on the Such vibration could be parallel to the axis of 'the pivot shafts 45 or in an arc about that axis or both.

I have found that the particular ratchet system shown in the drawings gives excellent results, particularly in connection with the-shape of the buckets as illustrated, since the oscillatory or vioratory motion of the bucket is such as to shift the contents of the bucket to avoid clogging of the screen openings. The ratchet teeth are preferably spaced so that the individual buckets do not all drop at the same instant, but on the contrary drop in sequence to avoid build The ratchet bars 1I may be provided for the lower night of the conveyor chains 33. These lower Vratchet bars are not essential along the lower portion of the lower flight of the chains. When the ascending buckets pass over the upper drive sprocket 43 the buckets invert and swing freely for a short interval until the follower surface 59 strikes the lower ratchet bars 1I. As shown in Figure 3 the lower ratchet bar 1I may be continued for a short distance to insure that the trash drops out of the buckets. Baffles i2 are provided on the frame to insure that the trash drops onto the moving belt 33. The buckets in the lower flight of the conveyor move downwardly but do not swing freely on their pivot shafts 41, since the follower surfaces 69 ride along the smooth portion 13 of the lower ratchet bars 1i. As shown in Figure 4 when the individual buckets 34 approach the lower end of the lower flight of the conveyor, the follower surfaces 58 leave the smooth guide 13 and fall against the projecting end of a leaf spring assembly 14. As the forward edge 59 of the digging lip of each bucket swings into digging position the arm 15 on each of the followers 58 is engaged by the boss 48 on the next bucket to the rear, with the result that the bucket is caused to ll with sand through its forward opening. As the individual buckets 34 move around the lower drive sprocket 43 they are heldin position by the cooperative action of the follower B8 resting against the bosses 48 on the next bucket to the rear. The heel portion 16 of each bucket just cleais the stationary curved member 11 on the frame I0 and the turning movement of each bucket is thereby continued. The buckets pass upwardly without any substantial vibration until the follower surfaces 59 engage the beginning end 13 of the upper ratchet bars 64. The oscillatory vibration of the buckets eiected by the coaction between the follower surfaces 69 and ratchet teeth 61 is then effective to cause the sand in the buckets to sift through the screen bottoms and fall downwardly against the inclined baiiles 19, 80, 8| and 82. The sand falling from the buckets in the upper flight rains downwardly through the spaces between the buckets in the lower ight and is returned to the cut from whence it came. lIhis is accomplished by providing the upper inclined baiile 80 and the lower iioor 8|. As shown in Figure 4 the oor 8| is joined at its forward end by a guide 82 having a strike bar 83 at its lower end.

The forward projection I at the front end of the frame I0 supports a bracket 84 having downwardly and forwardly projecting supports 85. The knife blade 86 is carried at the extreme ends of the supports, and this blade extends slightly below the cutting depth of the buckets 34. The purpose of the blade 86 is to cut any grasses or vegetation which may be growing in the sand and to warn of the existence of any hidden obstacles which might interfere with the digging action of the buckets.

Since the conveyor chains operate at the ends of the buckets, it is necessary to provide clearance for the sprockets 39 so that they may operate satisfactorily with the conveyor chains 38 and may not become unduly packed with sand. In order to provide clearance for these sprockets 39 and for the chains 38 at their lowest operative point a pair of right and left plowshares 81 and 88 are mounted at the forward end of the frame just behind the horizontal cutting blade 86. These plows each form a furrow by throwing the sand into a central mound between them. This increases the effective working depth of the buckets in their digging action and allows the machine to clean a wider strip of beach than would otherwise be possible for a given length of conveyor bucket, as well as for providing clearance for the sprockets and chains. Parallel vertical side plates 89 and 90 extend downwardly into the furrows formed by the plowshares 81 and 88 respectively and serve to hold the sand outside the plates 90 from spilling into the furrows. These side plates extend rearwardly beyond the digging location for the buckets and serve to hold the cut open until the screened sand is returned to it.

Thus, as shown in Figure 4, the side plates extend rearwardly of the lowermost buckets and rearwardly of the strike bar 83. Sand which falls from the bucket screens passes downwardly over the inclined floor 8| and enters the cut between the side plates immediately in advance of the strike bar 83.

The leaf springs I4 are carried on transverse angle irons 9| which are in turn supported on a carrier bracket 92. The bracket 92 is fixed to the frame by attachment fittings 93. The spring 1t is sufficiently resilient to act as an effective cushion for the otherwise free swinging buckets, as well as to align the cutting edge 59 thereof in proper position just prior to making a cut in the sand.

Means are provided for controlling the depth of cut of the buckets, and as shown in the drawings this means includes a hydraulic cylinder assembly Se.. connected to actuate the quadrant 95 secured on the tow bar I6. When the cylinder assembly 94 is lengthened the tow bar is moved to the dotted line position shown in Figure 4. This has the eiect of raising the entire forward end of the frame I0 so that the blade 86. plows 81 and 88, buckets 34 and side plates 89 and 90 are raised clear of the levelo'f the" beach. The cutting depth of the buckets may be regulated by varying the angular position of the tow bar I6 with respect to the frame I0. 'Ihe forward end of the tow bar is pivotally connected to the tractor by the hitch I8, and since the hitch is placed at a iiXed height variation in angular position of the tow bar serves to Vary the height of the forward end of the beach cleaning machine.

For highway transportation to and from beaches it is highly desirable to replace the endless tracks I2 with a more suitable form of wheel. I prefer to accomplish this changeover by installing relatively large diameter road wheels 96 on the axles 91 as shown in Figure 9. The truss wheel assembly |I is held in inoperative position by means of platforms 98 held in place by tension rods 99. These rods are secured to the frame I8.

In operation the road wheels 96 are removed and the device is wheeled off the platforms 98 so that the endless tracks I2 rest onthe ground surface. The tow bar I6 is inclined sufficiently to hold the forward end of the device clear of the ground surface while it is being maneuvered into position on the beach. The rubbish wagon is then attached and the tractor moves forwardly. The tow bar l5 is adjusted by regulating the position of the hydraulic cylinder asembly Se so that the buckets cut to the desired depth. The engine 28 on the frame I8 drives the conveyor chains 38 and also drives the belt 33 on which the rubbish, trash and debris are deposited. The tractor pulls the entire device along the beach so that the buckets on the lower flight of the conveyor chains move downwardly and the buckets on the upper flight move upwardly. Vibration of the buckets sifts the sand through the screen bottoms and returns it to the cut which is maintained open by means of the vertical side plates 89 and 3|). The trash, debris, etc. falls from the buckets as the chains pass around the upper sprockets 48.

While I have shown hinged guard sections |88 enclosing the conveyor assembly, these guards may, of course, be omitted or other forms of guards may be employed.

I have found under conditions of actual use that it may be desirable to provide bumper strips or wear strips of very hard'metal for reducing the wear between various parts which meet in metal-to-metal contact. Thus,` it may bedesirable to provide hard metal wear strips on the buckets 3s and on the curved shield TI. I have found that very good service life is achieved when the ratchet bars @il are formed of I-Iadfleld man-- ganese steel, and the bucket ends including the followers 58 may be made of the same material.

While I have chosen to illustrate my invention in connection with a machine for cleaning beaches, it will be understood that the inventive features thereof may be embodied in machines for picking stones, removing clods, and generally separating coarse materials from fine materials along the path of travel of the device.

I-l'aving fully described my invention, it is to be understood that I do not wish to be limited to the details herein set forth, but my invention is of the full scope of the appended claims.

I claim:

l. In a device of the class described, the combination of mobile frame, an inclined moving conveyor assembly on the frame, said assembly including a plurality of self-loading buckets, each agcavgvia bucket havingLa screen portion adapted :to .allow relatively inne material'tosift therethrough whilev retaining relatively `coarse `material .in .the bucket; .and cooperating 'means on said frame andsaid buckets for `vibrating the buckets as a consequence of the conveyor movement, said means cooperating with a follower including ratchet means to vibrate the buckets individually7 and out nf synchronism.

2. In a beach cleaning machine, `the .combination of .a mobile frame; an Vinclined power driven conveyor .assembly on the frame, said assembly including a 'plurality of .self-loading buckets 'each having .a screen portion adapted to allow bea-ch sand-to sift therethrough while retaining trash and debris; and ratchet .bars on thefrazne cooperating with followers on the bucketsfor vibrating the Vbuckets relative to the frame, the ratchet bars having teeth spaced with relation to the followers so that the buckets vibrate out of synchronism.

3. Ina beach cleaning machine, the combination of a ,mobile frame; inclined power driven conveyor chains on the frame, a plurality of selfloading buckets eachpivotally mounted on said chains, veach bucket having a curved screen portion-adapted to allow beach Asand to sift therethrough while retaining trash and bebris; ratchet bars carried on the frame cooperating with followers provided on the buckets for oscillating the buckets about their pivotal supports; and .rubber-like strips interposed between the ratchet bars and the frame for cushioning the shock occasioned by cooperative action of the ratchet bars and followers.

4..In .a sorting and screening Adevice of the class described, Vthe combination of a mobile frame; an inclined `power driven conveyor assembly carried onthe frame, said assembly including sprocket membersat the lower end thereof, and a plurality of self-loading buckets each provided with a screen to allow relatively fine material to sift therethrough while retaining relatively coarse material in the bucket; transversely spaced means at the forward end of the frame and in longitudinal alignment with said sprocket members for forming parallel furrows into which said sprockets are adapted to extend; and parallel side plates near the forward end of the frame adjacent said sprocketasaid side plate extending into the furrows to maintain the furrows open to provide clearance for the sprocket members.

'5. VIn adevice ofthe class described, the combination .of a mobile frame; .an inclined power driven conveyor assembly .carried on the frame, said assembly.includingsprocket members at the lower end thereof, and a plurality of self-loading buckets; transversely spaced means at the forward-end of the frame and in longitudinalalignment with .said sprocket membcrsfor forming parallel furrows with a mound therebetween in advance of the .buckets and into which said sprockets are adapted to extend; and parallel side .plates near the forward end of the frame ad- `iacent said sprockets, said side plates extending into the furrows to maintain the furrows open to provide clearance .for the sprocket members.

6. .In abeach cleaning machine, the combination of a mobile frame; an inclined power driven conveyor vassembly on theframe, said assembly including endless chains having a plurality of self-loading buckets pivotally mounted thereon; transversely spaced means on the forward end of theframe adapted to form parallel furrows and a central-mound therebetween; a pair of side plates .fon the frame extendinginto -..the furrows on either-side of the bucketsinloadingposition; each of the buckets having a digging lip for engaging the mound and a screen portion adapted to allow beach Vsand to -sift therethrough while retaining trash and debris; stationary means on the frame for vibrating the buckets as a consequence of movement of the conveyor chains; and baffle means on the frame for returning the sand falling from the vibrating buckets to a location between said side plates.

7. In a beach cleaning machine, the combination of a mobile frame; an inclined power driven conveyor assembly on the frame, said assembly .including an endless chain having a plurality of self-loading -buckets pivotally mounted thereon and .adapted to scoop up sand from a beach, each of the buckets having a screen portion adaptedto allow beach sand to sifttherethrough while retaining trash and debris; stationary means on the.frame for vibrating the buckets as a consequence of movement of the conveyor chains, a power driven endless belt operatively mounted on the frame and adapted to receive trash and debris from said buckets, and baile means on .the frame for returning the screened sand to the beach adjacent'the position from whence. it wastaken.

8. In a beach cleaning machine, the combination of a mobile frame; .an inclinedpower driven conveyor assembly on1said frame, said assembly including endless chains having a plurality of self-loading buckets pivotally mounted thereon, transverselyspaced means on .the forward end of the .frame adapted to form parallel Afurrows and a central mound therebetween in advance of the buckets,.-a pairof sideplates on the frame extending .into the .furrows on .either side of vthe buckets in loading position; veach of the buckets having a screen portion .adapted to allowbeach sand to sift therethrough while retaining trash and debris; stationary means on the frame for vibrating the bucketson both upper and lower nights ci the conveyor chains; and resilient means near the lower end of the conveyor assembly for orienting the buckets -on the .lower flight of the conveyor chains into proper positions for self loading.

9. In a beach cleaning machine, the combination of a mobile frame; an inclined power driven conveyor assembly on the frame, said assembly including a plurality of self-loading buckets each having a screen portion adapted to allow beach sand tosft therethrough while retaining trash and debris; and ratchet bars on .the frame rcooperating with followers on the buckets vfor vibrating the buckets .relative to .the frame, each of said followerscooperating with a boss on the next .following bucket to prevent oscillatory Inotion of the buckets while the buckets are carried around the lower end of said conveyor assembly.

i0. In a device of the class described, the combination of .a frame, .a power driven conveyor assembly on said frame, said conveyor including a plurality of self-loading buckets, each bucket having a screen portion adapted to allow relatively. ne material tosift therethrough while retaining relatively coarse material in the bucket, and means for vibrating the buckets while said buckets are in the carrying position, said means including ratchet bars on the frame cooperating with followers on the buckets, the ratchet bars having teeth spaced with relation to the followers so that the buckets vibrate out of synchronism.

11. In a beach cleaning machine, the combination of a mobile frame; inclined power driven conveyor chains on the frame, a plurality of selfloading buckets each operably mounted on said chains, each bucket having a screen portion adapted to allow beach sand to shift therethrough while retaining trash and debris; ratchet bars carried on the frame cooperating with followers provided on the buckets for vibrating the buckets relative to the frame; and rubber-like strips interposed between the ratchet bars and the frame for cushioning the shock occasioned by cooperative action of the ratchet bars and followers.

12. In a device of the class described, the combination of a mobile frame; an inclined power 1 driven conveyor assembly carried on the frame, said assembly including a pair of spaced sprocket members at the lower end thereof, and a plurality of self-loading buckets; a pair of transversely spaced plow members at the forward end of the frame and in longitudinal alignment with said spaced sprocket members for forming parallel furrows with a mound therebetween in advance 10 of the buckets and into which said spaced sprocket members are adapted to extend; and parallel side plates near the forward end of the frame adjacent said spaced sprocket members, said side plates extending into the furrows to maintain the furrows open to provide clearance for the said spaced sprocket members.

VICTOR H. CHATTEN.

REFERENCES CITED The following references are of record in the le of this patent:

UNITED STATES PATENTS Number Name Date 807,423 Fern Dec. 12, 1905 944,111 Sutter Dec. 21, 1909 1,298,239 Mandersheild Mar. 25, 1919 1,342,789 Anderson June 8, 1920 2,098,552 Petersen Nov. 9, 1937 2,220,398 Dreikosen Nov. 5, 1940 2,363,682 Madsen et al. Nov. 28, 1944 

